A Look Back on a Year of Progress with our Facility Master Plan

Written by Molly DeFosse, Chief Finance and Facilities Officer, Downtown Main Library 

Although 2020 did not go quite as planned, we still made excellent progress in the first full year of implementing the Library's Facility Master Plan (FMP). 

The first several projects of the FMP were identified prior to the completion of the plan and shortly after the levy passed in 2018. These projects include the long-deferred energy retrofit project (which is complete) at both buildings of the Downtown Main Library, the Price Hill Branch renovation and addition (expected to open in early 2021), the Walnut Hills Branch renovation and addition expected to break ground in January 2021, and the Madisonville Branch accessibility project (expected to start during 2021.)

Making progress 

We also were able to complete branch refreshes at the Elmwood Place, College Hill, Madeira and Groesbeck branch libraries. The refreshes included new flooring, paint, and often new furnishings. 

The additional levy funding that was earmarked for lifecycle replacements and emergency maintenance permitted us to move quickly to repair a costly water pump issue at our Anderson Township Branch, as well as quickly install a drive-thru window at that location to meet customer needs during the pandemic.  

The stability of the levy funding provided us with the opportunity to properly plan for upcoming 2021 projects, which include adding drive-thru windows at the Symmes and Delhi Township branches and additional branch refreshes. We also signed two leases in 2020, that allows for improved locations in both Deer Park and Madisonville. 

We invested a fair amount of time in the second half of 2020 planning for the elevator and skylight replacements at the Downtown Main Library. 

Continuing to Listen and Engage with the Community  

On Tuesday, Feb. 16 6:30-7:30 p.m., we're conducting our second question and answer session for the community about the Facility Master Plan. Please register for the event, which will be held online.

"Our original plan in 2020 was to hold community forums in person across the county to share our Facility Master Plan which details improvements planned for all 40 branches and the downtown Main Library over the next 10 years," said Customer Experience Manager Justyn Rampa.

"Although the pandemic has and will continue to impact our daily lives, the Library is committed to realizing the long-term vision we heard from you during the community engagement last year. While the planning zone presentation recordings don’t give us the chance for discussion during the presentation, I will be hosting these live question-and-answer sessions as a chance to hear from you. Please feel free to ask a question about any of the planning zone presentations."

View the most up-to-date information on Building the Next Generation Library and our Facility Master Plan.